Biostatistics and Epidemiology Consulting Service (BECS)

The Biostatistics and Epidemiology Consulting Service (BECS) provides biostatistical and epidemiologic support to improve the quality of health-related research conducted at the George Washington University and by affiliated research groups. We provide support through consultations, extended collaborative relationships, communication about best practices, and broad-based services in research design, statistical analysis, data management, and dissemination of findings.

The priority services of the BECS are pre-award consultations and analysis:

• Pre-award consultation on biostatistical methods, sample size selection, and study design for health-related grant proposals
• Assistance with pre-award statistical analysis of preliminary data to support a grant application

There is no fee for these pre-award services, although it is possible that charge-back mechanisms may be developed in the future.

For post-award services and analyses, typically the consulting biostatistician or epidemiologist would be included in the grant application as a co-investigator, and receive a negotiated percent effort to support their ongoing participation in the study should the grant application be successful. The BECS will assist investigators to develop appropriate scope of work and budget justifications as well as standard descriptions of available resources and facilities.

Non-grant related services and consultations are also available subject to faculty availability.